The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-14
Concerning tho Potato.

Country Gentleman.
The word potato is probably corruption of
the "ba tatas." European natives have changed
the word to suit their own vocabularies and
given the world the English potato; SPANISH
battata; Italian patata; French, palate; Portu-
gese, batata: Spanish American. papas. Prob
ably the first potato seen by a European was in
the mountains near Valparaiso, about 1850.
Since, 1t has been found on the mountains of
Central America and Mexico yet Humboldt
thinks it was unknown to the Mexicans at the
time of the Spanish invasion. He also thinks
it was carried north by the Incas in the course
of their conquests, and that the potato is not
Indigenous to the Cordileras under Ne equator
Nothing is definitely known concerning the
time when the English first obtained possession
of this plant. History accords its introduction
into England to Raleigh. Raleigh came to Amer
lea in 1884. and probably carried back the tobac-
CO AMI potato plant The tobacco, according to
history, soon became very popular, but the po-
tato was despised plant for many years
Thomas Heriot, in report of tine new country,
speaks of plant called "open awk," the roots
of which were round, as large as a walnut or
larger. and boiled or roasted were good food.
1t is said that Raleigh carried some of the roots
| to Younghall, Cork county, Ireland. and when
| the gardener had raised to maturity the potatoes
| he had received from his master as fine fruit
| from America, he took some of them to Raleigh
| and asked il that was his fine fruit. Raleigh
| pretended to lie dissatisfied, and ordered the
| weed rooted ont, which the gardener did, and
| found bushel OF the finest potatoes. It's first
| introduction into Raeigh's garden was in 1910
| OF its introduction into Europe We have
no authentic record The name solanum
| tuberosum was first applied by Jerard. and sub
| sequentlv adopted by LlnuHus in his classified
| ton. In 1725 they were carried into Scotland.
but met with fierce hostility because not men,
| toned in the Bible. In the Ionian islands the
| priests opposed them and called them one of the
| forbidden fruits instrumental in mans fall.
| In France the reception was extremely an
| tagonistic The efforts of the mobiles to popu-
| larze it were visited with i'll success Finally a
| field was planted with them Paris, around
| which were posted notices which warned all not
| to steal because of severe punishment to be
melted TO the offender. This had the desired eff
| feet, for they were all stolen Its intro
/ duction to Spain is ascribed to the Jesuits, who
had strong foothold in South America In
nearly every country in Europe it's introduction
met with strong opposition, and famine oil
scarcity of other food in many instances finally
| led TO its adoption article of diet. 1t i:
first mentioned "a of the productions Of Vir
ginia in l64S aud in New York l74l.
In England, in the time of James I. it was
considered dainty and delicate dish. but it wa:
very costly, so only the nobility could afford it.
| regular use--two shlings per pound. 1t wa.
| almost unknown for more than hundred years
but Mr. Buckland. of Somersetshire, in 1863 n
| terested the royal society in its value and recon-
| mende1 its general introduction and cultivation
| throughout the kingdom. From this time it be
came universal favorite Really. the vcGeta